linking good jobs, affordable housing, social justice and livable neighborhoods to development projects

Monday, January 28, 2008

SunQuest industrial park

In 2001 an agreement was reached for the redevelopment of an environmentally contaminated industrial site in Los Angeles. The city agreed to provide environmental remediation, and the developer committed to such terms as paying living wages, hiring local residents and setting up a neighborhood improvement fund. Unfortunately, plans for the SunQuest industrial park project were tabled after the developer went bankrupt, and the foreclosure cancelled the CBA. As of early 2008, it is unclear exactly how the property will be developed.

What are community benefits agreements?

A community benefits agreement, or CBA, is a private contract between a developer and a community coalition that sets forth the benefits that the community will receive from the development. Common benefits include living wages, local hiring and training programs, affordable housing, environmental remediation and funds for community programs. CBAs ensure that development is equitable and benefits all members of the community, eventually contributing to stronger local economies, livable neighborhoods and increased public participation in the planning process.

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